The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is studying the standardization of driving school fees.
One of the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license is the technical and practical driver’s course from driving schools.
Pampanga 4th District Rep. Ana York Bondoc is investigating the alleged “anti-poor” fee to get an LTO license. He said the cost of obtaining a license, medical exam, and theoretical and practical driving course ranges from P9,000 to P15,000.
According to LTO Chief Jay Art Tugade, they only charge administrative fees, and he admitted that the cost of driving school fees is high for motorists.
“We are not oblivious to this fact. Isa sa pinatignan ko agad is excessive pricing na tsina-charge ng driving schools… Kinonvene ko ang committee which heads schools for driving education,” said Tugade.
The Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) costs P1,500 to P2,500, while the Practical Driving Course (PDC) costs P3,000 to P7,000.
LTO plans to standardize driving school fees
The Technical Working Group is already studying the imposition of a standard fee in TDC and PDC, but the cost of driving schools should be considered depending on the location.
“Ang minimum wage sa Maynila ay iba sa Agusan. Ang presyo ng kuryente sa Maynila ay iba ng presyo ng kaysa sa Palawan. Pag-aaralan ang creating a standard rate structure for our driving schools and ang objective natin is for the benefit of the public,” said Tugade.
Tugade also said that in the event that TDC and PDC require an amendment to obtain a license, they would support it as long as it complies with their road safety mandate.
In February 2022, LTO considered revoking the authority given to accredited driving schools to issue a certificate of completion of Comprehensive Driver’s Education for license renewals.
According to LTO chief Edgar Galvante, this is after the Department of Justice gave a position on the issue stemming from the resolution filed in the House of Representatives.
He explained the CDE program is free on the LTO website. The applicant can also go to the driver’s education center of the LTO to do this.
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